It’s the first six and the bottom eight. Last season, the bottom eight of the SEC was 0-30 vs. the top six. That's probably not going to change this fall, unless Ole Miss and/or Vanderbilt continues to emerge, and unless Arkansas makes a significant move under new coach Bret Bielema.

----- This is Steve Spurrier's ninth season at South Carolina, and this is his best team. If that sounds familiar, well, we've heard the same thing the last two years. South Carolina's problem is winning games on the road. Last year, it was losses to Florida and LSU. In 2011, there was the loss at Arkansas. Even in 2010 -- when the Gamecocks played in the SEC Championship Game -- there was an unthinkable loss at Kentucky. There's only one tough game on the road this fall (at Georgia), but it could be the difference between playing in the SEC Championship Game or eventually playing in another meaningless postseason game.

---- Two teams, one potential springboard to join the elite six. When Vanderbilt plays host to Ole Miss on Thursday, it's a statement game of sorts. Both emerged last season as legitimate second-tier SEC teams, and the goal this fall is simple: reaching the elite six. Last year, the bottom eight of the SEC was 0-30 vs. the top six. A win by either team Thursday night is an important mental step in eventually competing with the elite.

---- Georgia, 2013 meet Georgia, 2011: two big games to begin the season 2-0 and set up a championship run, or start 0-2 and be forced to find a way back into the SEC Championship race. In 2011, the Bulldogs lost to Boise State and South Carolina. This fall, Georgia opens at Clemson and next week plays host to South Carolina.